QuickBooks Live or a bookkeeping firm?
QuickBooks Live is Intuit's own bookkeeping service inside QuickBooks Online; as of September 2026 its prices are quoted after a consultation rather than listed. A bookkeeping firm such as SF Business Solutions works in the same QuickBooks file, publishes a starting price of $250 a month, and can also handle cleanup and payroll and prepare and file your tax return.
What QuickBooks Live offers
As of September 2026, Intuit sells two versions. Expert Assisted gives you ongoing guidance on managing your own books. Expert Full Service adds an initial cleanup of your books and pairs you with a dedicated bookkeeper who manages your monthly books. Intuit's page does not list prices; it offers a free consultation and a plan chooser.
Its strength is that it is built into QuickBooks: nothing to connect, and the bookkeeper works inside the product you already pay for.
Where a bookkeeping firm differs
A firm is not tied to one product. It can work in QuickBooks Online or Xero, take on payroll and accounts payable, and prepare and file the tax return, alongside the books, and adapt its monthly reports to what your lender or investors ask for. You also know the price before you call.
- Published starting price: from $250 a month for monthly bookkeeping
- Cleanup from $250 if your books are behind
- Cleanup, payroll, AP, and tax returns prepared and filed, from the same team, which includes one licensed CPA
- Works in QuickBooks Online or Xero
Other alternatives, as of September 2026
Bookkeeper360 publishes plans from $399 a month (monthly) and $599 a month (weekly). Bench, restarted after its 2024 shutdown, lists plans from $199 a month. Pilot's Essentials plan is $99 a month with AI categorization, with a dedicated US-based bookkeeper on its Core plan. Each works well for a different kind of business; compare what is included and who actually does the work.
Is QuickBooks Live better than hiring a bookkeeping firm?
It is convenient if you only need bookkeeping inside QuickBooks. A firm adds payroll, cleanup and tax work, works in Xero too, and publishes its prices.
How much does QuickBooks Live cost?
As of September 2026, Intuit does not list QuickBooks Live prices on its page; it quotes after a free consultation.
What are cheaper alternatives to QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping?
Pilot Essentials at $99 a month, Bench from $199 a month, and firms like SF Business Solutions from $250 a month.
Can a bookkeeping firm work in my existing QuickBooks file?
Yes. You add the firm as an accountant user and keep ownership of the file.
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